Electric switch



June 7, 1932. E N JACOBl 1,862,117

ELECTRI C SWITCH Filed Dec. l, 1950 Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE EDWARD N. JACOBI, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC SWITCH Application led December 1, 1930. Serial No. 499,138.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in electric switches and refers more particularly to lighting switches for use with automotive vehicles and especially that type mounted at the lower end of a steering column.

In switches of this type an actuating stem extends axially through the steering column to transmit motion from a switch handle mounted at the upper end of the column to the movable elements of the switch mechanism, and heretofore difliculty has been experienced in providing a secure connection between the actuating stem and the movable `elements of the switch mechanism. Various methods have been employed, but all have proven objectionable for one cause or another, and hence it is an object of this invention to improve the driving connection between the actuating stem or rod and the movable elements of a switch mechanism of this type.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch structure of the character described having a driver for its movable element which extends outside the enclosing` casing at the side remote from the terminal head and has simple and eflicient means for securely locking the same to the actuating stem.

And a further object of this invention resides in the specific manner of securing the driver to the actuating stem.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds7 my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter describedv and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view 50 taken through a switch structure embodying my invention, the view being taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the switch structure with parts broken away and in section to illustrate structural details taken through Figure 1 on the plane of the line 2 2;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken through Figure 1 on the plane of the line Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken through Figure 2 on the plane of the line 4 4; and

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken through Figure 3 on the plane of the line 5 5.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 represents a substantially cup shaped casing in which the switch mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 6, is housed. The open side of the casing 5 is closed by a terminal head 2' secure-d in position by tangs 8 projected from the peripheral edge of the casing and struck over the outer surface of the terminal head. rEhe terminal head mounts a number of stationary contacts 9 which have terminal members 10 electrically connected therewith to afford means for connecting outside conductors with the stationary contacts.

Selectively engageable with the stationary contacts 9, which are circumferentially disposed on the terminal head, is a movable contactor 11 comprising a metal ring 12 having a plurality of rounded projections 13 for selective engagement with the stationary contacts. The metal ring 12 abuts against a carrier plate 14 forme-d of insulating material or the like and is non-rotatably connected therewith by lugs 15 projected from the metal ring and received in suitable notches 16 formed in the periphery of the plate.

Rotation is imparted to the plate 11i and consequently the movable contactor assembly, through a driver indicated generally by the numeral 17. The driver has a central projection 18 which extends through an aperture 19 in the close-d wall of the casing 5 and through a central opening 11i in the carrier plate to have its extreme end journaled in an Opening 20 in the terminal head. A non-rotatable but axially movable connection is afforded between the driver extension and the plate 11i by a pair .ot diametrically opposite elongated lugs 21. projected from the extension 18 and received in suitable recesses communicatingv with the opening 14 inthe carrier plate.

An annular fiangeQQ ormed'on thel central portion of the driver 17 abuts theinner surface of the closed wall of the casing about the peripheral edgeotitsopening 19 and thus restrains longitudinal movement of. the driver 17 outwardly of the casing, and an expansive spring-.23 confined between the carrier ,plate l-irand the vannular flange 22, which. is' recesse'chas .at.24, .to'receive the end .of the spring, 'yieldably urges the carrier `plate and consequently l:the-entire movable contactor assembly toward the terminal: head to provide ther desired: contact: pressure.

The ldriver I17 is preferably die cast and has a lug or projection 25 of truncatedy conical shapeextended beyond', the closed Vwall oi :the casing. On one side the'lug ias' an enlargement 26 in which a threaded opening i27iis formedzto .receiveiafset screwfS. "The set screw .28 ,isz adapted 2 to bear Aagainst-fthe adjacent portion of a tubular actuatingr -stem .Q9 :received in an yopening 30 extending longitudinally through the driver 17.

:'lheopening 30 in which thetubular ac- .'tuating fstem .29 is received is :cylindrical ftroni that end of'the ldriverjournaledf in the terminalxhead aperture to `apoint substantially in linewith the annularange 22 and the'remainder'of the opening is substantially-elliptical7 as lat 31,'with'tl'ie-short. axis of the ovalin a plane coineiding'withfthe axis ofthe set screw128.

Tightening of'theset screwQS thus causes thatiportion of :the 'tubular actuating vstem i29 disposed within the-@oval shaped opening" -31'to be deformed as'illustrated in Figures 2 and Ltthussecuringthe driver .17 against Ymovement with respect 'to the lractu-ating stem. The actuating stem #being tubular, `re-actsagainst Athe fiat end of the set screw withan elastic'pressuresomewhat like that 4of alockwasher and thus prevents slacking Aback of the screwby vibration.

The movable element of the switch Vmechanism has'approximatelv 90 degrees of motion andthe set screw is so located with respect to thismotion as to be readily accessible when the switch mechanism is in its position of use, and by reason ofthe fact that the mea-ns for securing the driver to its .actuating stem -is=Y disposed on that side of' the switch mechanism remote from the terminal head,the possibility ot-sshort-circulating theterminals by Ytools during.assemblyfand disassembly of the .ofithemounting bracket 32 permits the set screwto'be positioned close to the closed wall of the casingand permits the 90 degrees ot motion on the part of the set screw in a space unrestricted the mounting bracket or its attaching means.

The limitsv of movement oi the driver and consequently the entire'movable-assembly f the switchmechanism are detinedby the en-' ga-gement of either of a pair of lugs 33 on thedriverwith an rabutment 34 directed into the interiorA ofthe switch casingand-preferably: formed by striking aportion of the metal otr-the 'closed wall-ofthewcasing inwardly,"

.asbest shown in Figure 5.

From the foregoing description, taken 'in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, it willfbe-rea'dily lapparent tothose skilled in thewart'to which an invention of the characteru described appert-ains that I provide inovcl means. for dr1v1ngly= 'connectingthe movable element ofaswitch of the cha lacter described with its actuatingfmedium, whereby:-assemblyand disassembly ofthe switch mechanism 'i l with fa `steering gear is5greatly facilitated, and `'wherein llooseningof the switch driver .from its Vactuating medium is precluded.

'Wha-tl Aclaim as my invent-ion` is 1. .In-anelectriciswitchmechanism of the" Acharacter describedincluding'a movable Vcontacter, means Tfor moving the contactor comprising a driver havinga substantially:-ellip tical opening, al cylindrical actuator disposed in said openingand havingwa diameter equal* tothe minimum diameterl (if -said ellipsegand means for deforming the actuator withinsaid opening :to secure I the.y driver against movement i with respect to theY actuator.

los'

:2. In' a switch mechanism ofthe character vz315 described including a movableV contactor,

'means for. moving the contactor f comprising al driverihaving an opening'therein part of Vwhich is Vnon-cylindrical, :an L actuator fstem Vreceived in said opening, and means for de- @20 formingthat part of the actuator.l stem disposed in the non-cylindricalfshaped'portion of the opening wherebyv the driver issecured against movement "with `respect to *the actuator.

.3. n-a switch mechanism ofthei charac- `ter describedincluding a movable contacter,

means for moving thecontactor comprising a driver having an operative connection with 4the contacter and l1av1nganf-opening therein 7 partially cylindrical and partially non-cylindrical, a tubular actuator stem received in said opening, and means carried by the driver for deforming that portion of the actuator stem within the non-cylindrical part of the driver opening whereby the driver is secured against movement with respect to the actuator.

4. In a switch mechanism of the character described, including a movable contactor, means for moving the contactor comprising a driver having an operative connection with the contactor and having an opening therein partof which is cylindrical and part of which is non-cylindrical, a tubular actuator stem extended into the driver opening, and a set screw threaded in the wall of the driver for engagement with the tubular actuator stem portion within the non-cylindrical part of the opening for deforming said part, whereby the driver is fixed to the actuator stem and the deformed portion of the actuator stem exerts an elastic pressure on the set screw to prevent retrograde movement thereof.

5. In a switch mechanism of the character described including a substantially cup shaped casing and a movable cont-actor therein, means for imparting movement to the contactor comprising a` die-cast driver having a part disposed within the casing and operatively connected with the contacter, an actuator stem for moving the driver, and means outside the closed wall of the casing to deform the actuator stem whereby the stem is secured to the driver.

6. In a switch of the character described including a cup shaped housing and a movable contactor within said housing, a driver having a portion disposed within the casing operatively connected with said contactor and a portion projecting beyond the bottom of said cup shaped housing, said driver having an aperture therein, an actuator within said aperture and means on said projection to deform said actuator whereby relative movement between the actuator and the driver is precluded.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EDWARD N. JACOBI. 

